Finding a miniature egg in your hens’ nesting box can be quite surprising, but don’t panic! These are called fairy eggs, and they can happen for many different reasons. Most of the time, they’re just a fun surprise and nothing to worry about. But sometimes they can be a problem, which we’ll talk about later!
Keep reading to learn what fairy eggs are, how they are made, and even 15th century folklore around the topic. Don’t miss the bonus section on my best tips for encouraging healthy laying in your flock!.
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Sometimes it’s scary when you go into your chicken coop to get eggs and find tiny eggs instead of the usual big ones. People sometimes call these small eggs “fairy eggs” or “wind eggs.” Your hen may be laying them for a number of reasons.
What are Fairy Eggs?
Fairy eggs, also known as wind eggs, witch eggs, or cock eggs, are very small, yolkless eggs that occasionally get laid by hens. They are typically about the size of a quail egg and occur when a small piece of reproductive tissue breaks off and triggers the hen’s egg-producing glands. This causes a bit of egg white and shell to form around the tissue, resulting in a tiny egg.
Most fairy eggs only have egg white inside, but sometimes there is a small amount of yolk or tissue from the reproductive tract. You can eat fairy eggs, but some people don’t like the tissue inside them. They can be fed back to chickens or dogs too.
Why Do Hens Lay Fairy Eggs?
There are a few potential reasons why a hen might lay fairy or wind eggs:
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Little hens that have just started laying eggs often lay some fairy eggs while their reproductive system develops. This is normal.
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Hens that are older—Hens that are older and their reproductive systems are worn out may lay more fairy eggs because things don’t work as well anymore.
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Stress – Stressful events like overcrowding, predator attacks, too many roosters, or temperature extremes can cause fairy eggs.
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Nutrient deficiencies – Lack of calcium or protein in the diet can lead to small eggs.
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Illness or pests – Sickness, mites, and other issues may trigger some fairy eggs.
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No reason – Sometimes they just happen sporadically for unknown reasons!
Is it a Problem?
An occasional fairy egg here and there is usually not a cause for concern. However, if your hen starts laying many tiny eggs frequently, it could signify an underlying issue. Things to look into include:
- Excess stress
- Nutrition deficiencies
- Illness
- Pests like mites
- Other causes of reproductive issues
It’s a good idea to thoroughly inspect your flock and coop if the problem persists.
Encouraging Healthy Egg Laying
To promote normal, healthy egg laying, focus on providing:
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Adequate calcium – Supplement feed with oyster shell or crushed eggshells. Lack of calcium causes thin shells and tiny eggs.
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Sufficient protein – Shoot for at least 16% protein in feed or offer high protein treats. Protein is key for egg production.
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Minimal stress – Reduce crowding, predators, extreme temperatures, and other stressors as much as possible. Stress can wreak havoc on laying.
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Overall flock health – Prevent and treat illness, parasites, injuries, and other issues promptly. Healthy hens lay better quality eggs.
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Good layer feed – Feed a complete layer ration formulated for hens actively laying eggs. This provides balanced nutrition.
With proper care and nutrition, most hens will lay nice big eggs consistently. But the occasional fairy egg blip is usually nothing to fret about. Just enjoy these tiny treasures from your flock!
Should I Be Concerned About Fairy Eggs?
But if you find one fairy egg by accident, I would just call it a “misfire” and enjoy the treasure you found! If this happens again and again, I would check the whole flock for signs of stress, disease, bumblefoot, malnutrition, etc.
The hen’s reproductive system
Take a look at a hen’s reproductive system to get a better idea of what’s going on. I learn best by seeing things.
The egg’s entire journey takes about 25 hours and travels roughly 25 inches before it’s plopped into the laying box. It all starts with the hen’s single ovary releasing a yolk about 1 hour after the previous egg was laid. Once the yolk enters the oviduct, the magic begins!.
First, the yolk is fertilized (if a rooster is around!), then surrounded by albumin (egg white) and further supported by shell membranes. Next, the hard outer shell is added along with pigmentation – this phase takes a whopping 20 hours!.
Finally, a protective bloom coating is put on the shell’s outside before it is pushed out through the cloaca and out the vent.
This bloom coating is essential for keeping the egg “fresh” for weeks to come. I never wash my eggs for this reason (even when incubating), and it makes preserving eggs via water glassing possible.
Why Chickens Lay Tiny Eggs
FAQ
What lays little tiny eggs?
Bed bugs, fleas, and termites lay tiny white eggs that blend into their surroundings, making them difficult to spot. These eggs can sometimes appear translucent or pearly before darkening closer to hatching.
Are fairy eggs fertile?
Like any other egg, a fairy egg can stand for fertility. However, because they don’t have a yolk, they can’t be incubated and hatched into a chick. Any hen can lay an occasional fairy egg, especially if she’s very young, very old, or suffers from complications with her reproductive system.
How do I get my chickens to lay bigger eggs?
Hen body weight is the key to increased egg size. Bigger hens produce larger eggs than smaller hens and bigger breeders produce larger eggs than smaller breeders. For modern White Leghorns, rearing pullets that weigh at least 1. 35 kg (3. 0 lbs. ) at the start of egg production will increase both hen weight and egg size.